In their last home game before the trade deadline the Orlando Magic hosted the vaunted Miami Heat. The sellout crowd at the Amway Center was rocking from the jump, and everyone had their reasons. There was the usual contingency of Miami Heat faithful, which seems to keep growing as the Heat keep winning. Then there was the anxious home crowd. If you’re a Magic fan, you’ve either prepared yourself for the worst and went to tonight’s game to watch great Dwight Howard one last time, or you’re keeping hope alive that he’ll stay, in which case tonight was just a hard fought game against an in state rival. But as the Magic mounted their third quarter comeback, the anxiety in the arena raised a notch, and those from camp “A” cheered with a pleading sense of urgency while those from camp “B” were swept up in the moment and became suddenly aware of what might be taken from them Friday. The result was a very desperate and dynamic regular season crowd.
Early in this one all the Heat had was Dwayne Wade. Catching the Orlando defense at a slow start he repeatedly broke up the floor after defensive rebounds for easy lay-ups. In the half court set he showcased his ability to get to the rim at full speed and finish with touch on his way to 11 first quarter points.
The Heat defense had problems of it’s own, namely Dwight Howard. They neglected to fight him for position early, allowing open passing lanes to the post and then being slow to double team. The result was Dwight tallying 12 of his 24 points in the first quarter. Chris Bosh described the challenge Howard poses, ”It’s an experience, he’s very strong, and a gifted athlete, and they go a lot through him and he makes a lot of the right plays.”
In the second quarter the Heat fed off Magic turnovers – 14 in the first half – on their way to 21 fast break points. Miami is too good in transition to give them those kind of opportunities, even if they don’t get a layup they will find the open man in the secondary break for a three, and they shoot a high percentage.
With Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson only playing 7 minutes each in the second quarter the Magic really struggled offensively. Jason Richardson usually provides scoring with the second unit but he did not play tonight due to an ankle injury. J.J. Redick shot well in his absence, but Richardson gives the defense more to game plan for with his size and ability to score at the hoop.
In the second half the Magic were able to cut down on their turnovers and limit the Heat fast break and slow the game down. The half court set plays more to the Magic’s strengths, they can play the inside out game with Dwight and get their shooters involved. Miami was making a concerted effort to deny Howard the ball in the post, and it slowed him down as he only scored 3 points in the third quarter, but he was able to find shooters and Orlando clawed their way back into the game. Redick finally hit a go ahead 3 pointer and the place erupted. The next time down the floor LeBron pulled up and hit a 3 early in the shot clock and the noise level didn’t drop a decibel. It was difficult to tell who was the home team at that point. The Magic trailed 73-72 at the end of the 3rd. A playoff environment in the 4th quarter was eminent.
The 4th quarter was jump started by the unlikely Quentin Richardson when he made a difficult jump shot while being fouled and converted the free throw, followed by a 3 pointer the next time down to give the Magic an early cushion. Jameer Nelson proved to be the difference down the stretch as he shouldered the scoring for the Magic and never looked scared of the moment. None of his makes were bigger than the go ahead 3 he drained with 44 seconds left. Once again Miami’s talent responded, as Dwayne Wade answered with a 3 of his own with enough time left on the clock to go for a two for one. Wade’s plan came to fruition as he was trusted with the final shot of regulation for the win, but it just barely rimmed out. When Wade was asked about the potential game winner he commented, “I thought it was in, and we decided we wanted to play more basketball.”
Overtime was never too close as the Magic went to the pick and roll with Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard and the two combined for 8 of the team’s 10 points in the period. Nelson’s mid-air adjustment on a layup might be a top 10 play tomorrow, and even more important it sealed the game for the Magic as they went up 6 and never looked back.
Dwight turned in his 8th 20 point 20 rebound game of the season, finishing with 24 points and 26 rebounds. Whatever may happen with his future, you cannot deny the effort that he gives on a nightly basis.
It was surprising to see Nelson emerge as the best player on the floor considering the names that were on the floor tonight, but it was indisputable. Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy agreed, “He was tremendous tonight…maybe the best he’s played all year.”
He gave Miami fits on defense when they took away Howard, Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra reponded, “That was probably the biggest back-breaker, was his ability to break us down.”
If Nelson can continue at that level you have to wonder how dangerous this veteran Magic team can be in the playoffs.
Apparently Mr. Howard has been wondering the same thing himself, ”I want to stay and finish the season. I feel we have a great opportunity to win, and I told them that I want to be here and bring a championship here.”
